Messy Learning Lab: Just Add Water

Is water really messy? I planned all these activities with water and the answer is decidedly, "YES!"

Luckily, my wonderful, amazing, fantastic co-worker, John, had the foresight to put a tarp down, or the hard wood floors may have taken a hit. I filled two under-the-bed storage totes with water. I added some toys to one and floating things to the second.

We used spray bottles at both craft tables. Possibly a favorite activity involved children spraying EVERYTHING. Spraying really works those motor skills! One table had relief painting with liquid watercolors.

The other table used the tried and true method of staining regular paper with tissue paper.

I recently purchased egg shakers to use in storytimes, so these homemade sand shakers got a new life. I poked holes in the bottoms, so the kids could shake, shake, shake the sand into some water. I just love the feeling of wet sand.

No water program is complete without water beads! You can see my hand turning the small tote so both boys could reach at the same time. I really needed a bigger tote for this activity. I just didn't have many beads left after the last event. I paired the beads with sand toys. They enjoyed fitting as many beads as they could into each shape.

Another simple activity made new by adding water. Cover a chalkboard, or sidewalk, with chalk markings, then use water to paint. Draw and repeat.

This mat is a chalkboard banner! I've used it several times since this event and I love it, but the first time it was super stiff even after ironing. I added water to cornstarch and food coloring to make chalk paint. It dries with a cool texture.

I saved the favorite for last. The Ooey Gooey Lady had an obstacle course set up for a conference on Facebook recently. This is my take on it. I taped bubble wrap to the floor and added blue balls to the parachute (water and umbrella).

Adding water is easy, cost effective and so fun. Have you added water to any activities? Leave me a comment with some links! I'd love to see what you've been up to this summer.

Messy Learning Lab: Water Beads for Babies

You may be thinking, "How can water be messy?" These activities are all water-based, so the clean-up is a breeze. Introducing water beads to the library is probably going to be my claim to fame. No one at the library has ever heard of these, which means none of them are reading my blog!

Me, being the Queen of Worry, placed the water bead bin on a regular height table. I repeatedly warned, "Do Not EAT this." I had nightmares prior to the event of the sweet babies being rushed to the emergency room. But after several minutes, I did this...

Thankfully, the parents were on top of security, I mean paying careful attention with this activity. I didn't want  the under three crowd to feel left out, so I made them "baby water beads."

I filled the other bin with enough water for the ball-pit balls to float.

See, there is no way that ball is fitting in that mouth!

The boys love water beads. Everyone survived and had a great time! I think my small town may run low on water beads for the next couple of months.

I'll be sharing more water-based, messy activities this week. In the other messy play room, I finally planned glow-in-the-dark sensory play. Don't miss it.

Sharing with Tuesday Tots and Kids Co-Op

Tot School: Birthday Bonanza

Click to enlarge, so you can see better. Sorry so dark!

This is the first Tot School post with birthday presents from this year! Bobo received some wonderful educational toys. We also added our Totes for Tots to the mix.

Pictured above (from left to right, top to bottom)

Superhero stamping and stickers

Haunted house with gems and skeletons

Science experiment- Color Mixing

Linking Patterns (TFT)

Counting Bears

Superhero pre-writing

I also brought the workbench out of retirement, aka Bobo's closet. Bobo's BFF joined us for school this day. Momo was a fantastic student!

Bobo's favorite gift was a Wolverine costume. I think he's worn it everyday.

Momo is a serious sorter and organizer. I was very impressed, especially when she gave each skeleton a gem heart.

Then, we headed outside for some water bead play. Momo played how I always wish Bobo would play. What was my little guy doing for the 20 minutes Momo was absorbed with the beads? Rolling around in the grass fighting sentinels, LOL.

The science experiments are a huge hit! I'm so happy with this purchase. The tools are just the right size for little hands. 

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how the kids worked together. Bobo was a little reluctant to share the spotlight. He told me in the evening, "Mama, I just didn't feel special today." Awww... I guess we'll keep school one-on-one for a little while longer.

Linked with TGIF

Water Bead Slide

For this activity, you'll need water beads, a pool noodle and a container to catch the bead in. I placed the water beads in a cup at the top of the stairs with the end of the noodle in the box at the bottom since the beads bounce.

If you are worried about the mess, or have carpet, you can use the clear water beads or marbles. If you have more than one noodle, you can have races!